We want our children to develop compassionate hearts. We want them to recognize when someone is hurting, to be generous instead of selfish, to understand their emotions in healthy ways, and ultimately to learn what it means to follow Jesus.
But those lessons can be difficult to teach.
That is one reason stories matter.
Long before children understand theology, they understand stories. Jesus often taught through stories because stories help truth take root in the heart. As a pastor for more than thirty years, I have seen how a simple story can sometimes teach a lesson more effectively than a lecture.
Stories help children see themselves in the characters. They allow children to experience choices, consequences, struggles, and victories in ways that are memorable and meaningful.
That desire to help children discover God’s truth through story is what inspired Lamppost Stories.
Our mission is simple: helping children discover purpose through story.
One of the challenges every parent faces is teaching children to move from “mine” to “ours.” We want our children to learn generosity, compassion, and the joy that comes from helping others.
That is exactly the journey Duncan takes in Duncan and the Amazing Apple Tree.
The story begins when Duncan and his grandfather plant an apple tree together. They water it, care for it, nurture it, and watch it grow. Duncan even sings to it. Over time the tree begins producing beautiful apples that taste better than any he has ever eaten.
The apples become very special to him.
In fact, Duncan loves them so much that he does not want to share them with anyone.
Then one morning, while walking to meet his friend on the way to the school bus stop, he hears crying from inside her home. Looking through the window, he discovers that her baby sister is crying because there is no food to eat. Duncan suddenly realizes that his friend is hungry too.
For the first time, the apples in his basket mean something different.
Unsure what to do, Duncan talks with his grandfather. Together they discuss the story of Zacchaeus. Before meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus lived for himself. But after encountering Christ, his heart changed completely. He became joyful in giving, restoring what he had taken and sharing generously with those in need.
That conversation begins changing Duncan’s heart as well.
Soon Duncan and his family secretly begin delivering apples to his friend’s home at night. Before long, they are helping others throughout the neighborhood. The more Duncan shares, the more joy he experiences.
By the end of the story, the apple tree itself becomes a picture of God’s multiplying generosity.
The lesson is one that every Christian parent hopes their children will learn: when Jesus changes our hearts, generosity becomes a joy rather than an obligation.
Families face many different conversations as children grow.
Some conversations are about generosity and serving others.
Some are about understanding emotions.
Some are about grief, loss, and remembering loved ones.
That is why Lamppost Stories offers books designed to help parents engage those conversations through story.
The Feeling Gift helps children understand empathy. It helps them see the words they speak as gifts from God and teaches kind ways to understand and express what they are feeling.
Since You Went Away, written by my wife, actress and singer Tess Tally, helps children navigate grief, loss, and remembrance with tenderness and hope. The story was inspired by an original song co-written with award-winning songwriter Boh Cooper, and the book includes a QR code that allows families to listen to the song as part of the reading experience.
Each book is designed to encourage meaningful conversations between parents and children about faith, character, relationships, emotions, and purpose. Because sometimes the most important conversations begin after the last page is turned.
If you are looking for faith-filled stories that help children grow in compassion, character, emotional health, and purpose, I invite you to visit Lamppost Stories.
There you can explore our books, join our mailing list, and learn more about our mission to help children discover purpose through story. Visit www.lamppoststories.com.
Questions for Families:
- What is something that is difficult for you to share?
- How did meeting Jesus change Zacchaeus?
- Why do you think Duncan became happier after he started sharing?
- How can small acts of kindness grow into bigger blessings?
- What gifts has God given our family that we can use to help others?
- What does it mean to have a heart that looks more like Jesus?
